Irvine’s new leisure centre is to play a part in this year’s Scottish council elections.

The local authority elections are now less than two months away and North Ayrshire Council have revealed the Portal will play a role in the process.

The £20million facility will stage the electronic counting of votes the day after the election.

Last Wednesday, North Ayrshire Council chief executive and returning officer Elma Murray joined the council’s election team to engage with council staff to ensure as many people are registered to vote as possible.

Read More

Local schools are also getting in on the act – to encourage as many 16 to 17 year-olds to register to vote.

While they were able to vote in last year’s Ward 1 by-election, this is the first time the whole of North Ayrshire’s 16 and 17 year-olds have had the chance to influence local politics.

This year will also be different in North Ayrshire following the Boundary Commission changes, which will now see 33 councillors – an additional three elected members - representing local people in 10 Electoral Wards.

Election Day takes place from 7am to10pm on Thursday, May 4.

Returning Officer Elma Murray said: “No one should miss out on their right to be part of the democratic process and I would encourage those who will be 16 and 17 to activate their entitlement to vote by registering as soon as they can.